Does anyone put Pine Straw (as nesting material) in their Gourds or Houses BEFORE the PM's arrive? If so, how much do you add?
P.S. What a wounderful site for all kinds of info and advice pertaining to the PM, BB, TS etc.
Thanks - Bill
Pine Straw In Gourds-Pre Arrival
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
It is very common to put pine straw inside of housing prior to your PM's arriving. This serves a couple different purposes. First is mean less work for the martins as they don't have to work as hard to build a nest after the migration. At at a new colony it is believed that the "lived in" look might help keep martins at a new site.
I really depends on what type of housing you have as to how much to use. In my T14 with nest boxes I just put an inch or so in, in my gourds with the floor way below the entrance I fill them up so it is almost level with the bottom of the opening.
I really depends on what type of housing you have as to how much to use. In my T14 with nest boxes I just put an inch or so in, in my gourds with the floor way below the entrance I fill them up so it is almost level with the bottom of the opening.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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MartinMan68
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:57 am
- Location: Englewood,tn
yes Bill i use white pine needles they like them very well and i put about a good handful in each gourd.And i sprinkle just a little bit of seven dust and this helps keep the mites down. 
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
Bill I also put white pine needles in my gourds almost filled up to the opening. I used to pick my own needles but last year I ran of time and energy and bought my needles from the PMCA Shop. It seems kind of expensive but actually its not to bad. My box of pine needles will last a long time and I have 24 compartments. Hopefully they won't decompose before I use them all. I have them in a cool dry spot in my basement. The martin love them. Never do they throw them out of the nest. Usually they add their own nesting materials on top of the needles. I think the needles help keep them warm in the early months and the needles do not absorb water. In my house I try to cover the bottom so they don't touch the metal ground for them to stay warm and keep them away from the moisture(water) on a spring rain storm. Good Luck
Last edited by CraigMo. on Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
Yes, do put the pine straw in there. That helps to make a nice warm and comfortable bed for them as the nights are still cold in April and early May. Also, it helps the martins exit the gourds and not slip around.
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Bill:
This question is asked every year so a couple years ago, I took a picture showing how much pre-nest material I put in each of my gourds. It comes out to about one and a half handfuls. This usually makes the nest even with the bottom of the entrance hole. After putting the pine needles in the nest, I make a fist and with a little downward pressure, I swirl the needles a couple of times to make a little bowl towards the back of the nest. My martins would hardly ever add any additional nesting material to my pre-built nest other than green leaves.
Tim
This question is asked every year so a couple years ago, I took a picture showing how much pre-nest material I put in each of my gourds. It comes out to about one and a half handfuls. This usually makes the nest even with the bottom of the entrance hole. After putting the pine needles in the nest, I make a fist and with a little downward pressure, I swirl the needles a couple of times to make a little bowl towards the back of the nest. My martins would hardly ever add any additional nesting material to my pre-built nest other than green leaves.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged